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Australian captain Jamie Dwyer is a relieved man after the Kookaburras put their hockey World Cup campaign back on track by thumping India in New Delhi.
After a disappointing 3-2 loss to England in the opening pool match, Australia had to cope with about 19,000 pro-India supporters, as well as a host team coming off a 4-1 win over Pakistan, in their second game.
But, after notching three goals in the first 26 minutes, Australia won 5-2 to keep themselves in with a good shot of a top two finish in their six-team group, which would put them through to the semi-finals.
Dwyer said the early flurry of Australian goals against India was a heartening return to scoring form after the Kookaburras squandered a host of chances in their loss to England.
“It’s a great relief to win this game after losing the first in a disappointing manner,” Dwyer told reporters.
“It’s good to play the way we normally do.”
“I think we played brilliant hockey in the first 20 minutes. It was important to score early goals.”
India’s Spanish coach Jose Brasa was also full of praise for Australia’s performance, saying they were “in a different league as far as fitness and speed were concerned”.
Australia now sit in second place in their group, with top-placed England the only undefeated side, after their 6-4 win over South Africa, who the Kookaburras play next on Thursday night (AEDT).
Australia were on song from the start against India, veteran defender Liam De Young pouncing on his own rebound after hitting the crossbar to score two minutes in.
Glenn Turner made it two in 10 minutes, seizing on a deflected ball from the goal-line off a penalty corner, before Des Abbott put the visitors three goals up after 26 minutes.
India produced a reply 10 seconds before the interval.
But any fears of a second half comeback by the home side were quickly allayed, with two Australian goals in the first eight minutes after the resumption putting the result beyond doubt.
The Kookaburras will have the chance to build on their form against South Africa, the only team in their pool who did not win either of their opening two games.
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